Ophthalmic treatment composition and vehicle for delivery of pharmaceutical substances or therapeutic agents

Abstract

An ophthalmic treatment composition for the treatment of dry eye consists essentially of squalane in an amount by weight of 1% to 100%; and mineral oil in an amount by weight of 0% to 99%. Preferably, the mineral oil is a light mineral oil or mixture of light mineral oils and is present in an amount by weight of 1% to 10%. The composition is effectively devoid of water, preservatives, emulsifiers and dispersing agents. A related ophthalmic treatment composition comprises squalane in an amount by weight of 1% to 99% and mineral oil in an amount by weight of 0% to 99% and at least one hydrophobic or lipophilic pharmaceutical substance in an amount by weight of 0.01% to 5%, effective for treatment of at least one ophthalmic condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An ophthalmic treatment composition comprising squalane in an amount of at least 80% volume/volume; and a mineral oil or mixture of mineral oils in an amount 1% to 20% volume/volume, wherein the squalane inhibits dry eye, the composition being effectively devoid of water, preservatives, emulsifiers and dispersing agents. 
     
     
       2. The composition defined in  claim 1  wherein the mineral oil or mixture of mineral oils is present in an amount of 1% to 10% volume/volume. 
     
     
       3. The composition defined in  claim 1  wherein the mineral oil or mixture of mineral oils is a light mineral oil or mixture of light mineral oils. 
     
     
       4. The composition defined in  claim 3 , comprising at least one hydrophobic or lipophilic pharmaceutical substance in an amount by weight of 0.01% to 5%, effective for treatment of at least one ophthalmic condition. 
     
     
       5. The composition defined in  claim 1  wherein the squalane is present in an amount of at least 90% volume/volume. 
     
     
       6. The composition defined in  claim 5  wherein the mineral oil or mixture of mineral oils is present in an amount of 1% to 5% volume/volume. 
     
     
       7. A delivery vehicle or carrier for a hydrophobic or lipophilic pharmaceutical therapeutic agent, consisting of squalane in an amount of at least 80% volume/volume and an amount of mineral oil no greater than that necessary to solubilize the hydrophobic or lipophilic pharmaceutical therapeutic agent. 
     
     
       8. The delivery vehicle or carrier defined in  claim 7  wherein said mineral oil is present in an amount of 1% to 10% volume/volume. 
     
     
       9. A method for treating keratoconjunctivitis sicca in a mammal in need thereof comprising administering to said mammal in need thereof therapeutically effective amounts of a composition consisting of squalane, wherein the squalane inhibits dry eye, and wherein the squalane is present in an amount of at least 80% volume/volume, the composition optionally further consisting of a mineral oil or mixture of mineral oils, and/or a pharmaceutical therapeutic agent, the composition being effectively devoid of water, preservatives, emulsifiers and dispersing agents. 
     
     
       10. The method defined in  claim 9  wherein the administering of said composition comprises topically applying a therapeutically effective amount thereof to an eye or eyelid of the mammal. 
     
     
       11. The method defined in  claim 10  wherein the mineral oil or mixture of mineral oils is present in an amount of 0% to 20% volume/volume.